Fears & Phobias

 
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jasyjen Jacksonville, NC posts: 358
2009 VIP
posted on October 30, 2008 at 03:18PM Inappropriate? Quote Reply

I have an extreme fear of two things.  Heights & Traveling to unfamiliar places alone.

Next week I will be driving 5 1/2 hours to D.C. -----  I'm terrified.  Am I the only one with a strange fear and/or phobia??

replies: 79 latest post: December 18, 2008 at 07:48PM by njchicaa
2008 Writer
posted on October 30, 2008 at 03:31PM
 
I am terrified of anything touching my eyes. I cry like a baby at the eye doctor. I am also terrified of ants. Yes. Ants.
2009 VIP
posted on October 30, 2008 at 05:21PM
 
I have phobias too but medication has helped some. I still don't like waiting in line like for the subway or in traffic but I can do it. I am terrified and never would bo on one unless I was in a coma - a rollercoaster. Actually I have a fear of anything going down fast but that's more fear than phobia I think. The traffic and bus thing is really a phobia. Wonkao (where did that name come from?) what's with the eye thing? Jo
2009 Advisor
posted on October 30, 2008 at 08:44PM
 
I'm terrified of rollercoasters, heights, needles, bees, snakes, and even bugs. I'm also afraid of tornadoes. We've had several this year.
2008 Writer
posted on October 30, 2008 at 09:13PM
 
Spiders and tornadoes.  I live nowhere near a tornado zone, but Wizard of Oz gave me so many nightmares growing up, that I developed a fear.  Um, I think my fear of spiders started with horror movies too, you know those creepy turantula movies where hundreds of big, fat hairy spiders surround you and you have no escape?  Yeah, and this was long before Arachnophobia came out.  That movie didn't help either.  Although, nowadays I can handle the site of a spider a lot better than I used to, for the sake of my kids not seeing their mommy freak out like a mad woman and running the opposite direction from s little the pencil-eraser sized invader.
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 02:28PM
 

I'm afraid of rollercoasters too.  I think it's part of the height fear I have. 

I was reading a magazine (I think People) and there were people TERRIFIED of really ordinary things like balloons, cotton candy, etc......  It must be something from childhood.

2008 Writer
posted on October 31, 2008 at 06:52PM
 
In response to krislynn's post from October 30 2008 08:44PM
krislynn said…
I'm terrified of rollercoasters, heights, needles, bees, snakes, and even bugs. I'm also afraid of tornadoes. We've had several this year.
I just think it's funny that you mentioned tornadoes right before me.  I promise I didn't read your post until after!  How scary that you had so many this year already!
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:34PM
 

I have so many fears that my family says I probably have a fearphobia.  Let's see: I'm afraid of spiders, snakes (remember I got bit twice this summer right before I joined VP), dogs, insects, bugs and strangers.  If they breathe or walk I am probably afraid of them.

I'm afraid of thunderstorms and any earthly natural disaster (tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.).  This is probably because my family was in a tornado when I was four or five years old.

As I got older I became afraid of heights.  I have a fear of being sedated because I have seen so many movies about women being raped while they were sedated

Psychologically I have a fear of being rejected or abandoned.  I also fear losing close friends and family thru death. Since I am still single I also have a fear of growing old alone or being at home by myself and something bad happening.

My Daddy used to say I was afraid of my own shadow.  Some fears encourage us to be more aware of our environment while others paralyze us mentally.  And making someone face their fears to overcome them doesn't work for me--that's too traumatic! 

2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:36PM
 
In response to jasyjen's post from October 30 2008 03:18PM
My mother was born and raised in D.C so I vacationed there a lot!  It is beautiful.  I understand your fear of being alone but you'll do fine.  I used to travel 5 hours every summer to vacation with my best friend in college.  The trip was relaxing to me.  What's in DC?  
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:38PM
 
In response to wonkao's post from October 30 2008 03:31PM

I also cry just in anticipation of going to the eye doctor or dentist.  I can't stand for that "stranger" to get that close to my face.  Sometimes my best friend will go with me and go into the examining room with me so that I don't feel so uncomfortable.

2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:41PM
 
In response to krislynn's post from October 30 2008 08:44PM
I love rollercoasters and can ride them with my hands in the air the entire ride.  I am a human pin cushion and can watch them stick needles in me and draw blood but I can't handle that little finger prick.  Snakes--yikes!  I got bit twice by a king or coral this summer and had to go through an envenomation procedure to get better.  And bees...Go see The Secret Life Of Bees and you might feel better :+)  I scream bloody murder if I see a cockroach, lizard, cricket, etc. and if they fly that is more terrifying because it is harder to kill them.   
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:43PM
 
In response to mhew's post from October 30 2008 09:13PM
I have one guest room that is decorated with the Wizard of Oz.  I have a fear of tornadoes but when I was little I wanted to be in one because I thought it would take me over the rainbow to a beautiful place.  And Arachnophobia, that movie and Anaconda both gave me nightmares for days.
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:44PM
 
In response to jasyjen's post from October 31 2008 02:28PM
I know several MEN who are afraid of clowns.  My coworkers husband recently hit a clown in a restaurant because the person got too close to him and scared him ;+)  
2009 VIP
posted on October 31, 2008 at 09:47PM
 
Oh, I asked my youngest nephew what he was afraid of.  Elijah will be 9 in a few weeks and he said nothing.  I didn't believe him so I asked him again and you know what he said.  "Auntie, there is one thing I'm afraid of, dutch ovens."  I told him I didn't know what he meant and he said, "That's when Daddy pulls the blankets over your head and then passes gas.  You can't get out from under the covers and boy does it smell."  I couldn't quit laughing.
2009 Advisor
posted on November 01, 2008 at 12:14AM
 
In response to mhew's post from October 31 2008 06:52PM

Hi! I kept adding to my original post. I kept remembering I had a fear of this and that. I might have added tornado after you posted yours. I literally had a list going at my desk. I hope we don't have too many tornadoes next year. I was never fearful of tornadoes until I moved to West Georgia (near Atlanta, GA).

Speaking of spiders, there was one in my shower this morning. I thought I was going to pass out. ~Krista Lynn

2009 Advisor
posted on November 01, 2008 at 12:32AM
 
In response to GigiandAdonai's post from October 31 2008 09:41PM

My dad put me on a ferris-wheel with him when I was little. I think that traumatized me with the rollercoaster. I can't stand anything that crawls except my baby. I will scream bloody murder too when I see a bug, spider, cockroach, lizard, cricket, rat, mouse, grasshopper, snake, etc. I would rather go to the dentist. I am terrified of anything that flies too.       

2009 VIP
posted on November 01, 2008 at 10:48AM
 
When I was a child a double ferris wheel at Myrtle Beach crashed to the ground and a few people died.  I became very much afraid of them after hearing about that tragedy.  To this day I will not ride the ferris wheels that have the bench-style seats but for some reason I will ride the ones that have the round bucket-style seats; weird huh?  I'm also afraid of the big swings at the fair but I ride them under duress.  My fear is that they are going to break away from the big center pole and we will "fly away."  After all the tragedies at theme parks this summer; I'm not sure how comfortable I am with any rides. 
2008 VIP
posted on November 01, 2008 at 11:31AM
 
In response to jasyjen's post from October 30 2008 03:18PM

No I don't even think that is a strage fear :)  I am always nervous going to a new place, nervous first that I won't find the place, nervous second that it's an unsafe place or that people will know I'm a tourist and be after me.

I think it's only good to be cautious when on vacation and keep all your eyes open!

2009 VIP
posted on November 01, 2008 at 02:56PM
 
In response to GigiandAdonai's post from October 31 2008 09:36PM
GigiandAdonai said…
My mother was born and raised in D.C so I vacationed there a lot!  It is beautiful.  I understand your fear of being alone but you'll do fine.  I used to travel 5 hours every summer to vacation with my best friend in college.  The trip was relaxing to me.  What's in DC?  

Oh my goodness!!! You have such a long list of phobias. You poor thing! Thanks for the comment. My brother is in D.C. I'm meeting him there, and then he's driving us the rest of the way to Ohio for a family reunion. With my fear of heights, there's NO WAY I could drive through the mountains to get to Ohio alone! LOL
2009 VIP
posted on November 01, 2008 at 02:57PM
 
In response to krislynn's post from November 01 2008 12:32AM
krislynn said…

My dad put me on a ferris-wheel with him when I was little. I think that traumatized me with the rollercoaster. I can't stand anything that crawls except my baby. I will scream bloody murder too when I see a bug, spider, cockroach, lizard, cricket, rat, mouse, grasshopper, snake, etc. I would rather go to the dentist. I am terrified of anything that flies too.       



If someone even TRIED to put me on a Ferris Wheel.............I think I would just have a heart attack and die. Just watching other people on those things makes me feel nervous to my stomach. My phobia of those are so bad, that I wont let my kids get on one either. My seven year old wanted to get on it, but I started crying when he was in line. HOW BAD IS THAT GOING TO MESS HIM UP????
2009 Advisor
posted on November 01, 2008 at 09:49PM
 
In response to jasyjen's post from November 01 2008 02:57PM
I thought I was the only person with a Ferris Wheel phobia. One summer my cousins and my brother wanted me to go to Six Flags with them. I told them no thanks. I tried to talk them into going to the Atlanta Zoo, but they said that is no fun. Needless to say, I stayed home. I don't think I could handle my child wanting to go on a Rollercoaster, Ferris Wheel, etc. I'd probably faint.    
2008 Writer
posted on November 01, 2008 at 11:00PM
 

I am very afraid of spiders. I would rather have a "non" poisonous snake on me.

When I was about 5 or 6 I had a HUGE spider (black and yellow, I don't know what kind) jump on my face and cover it....I'm not joking...it covered my whole face. Ever since then I have been terrified by any kind of spider...big or small.

posted on November 02, 2008 at 11:19AM
 
I was raised in Texas and did a lot of outdoor activities so for a girl I don't freak out with bugs, snakes, and so forth.  I am the mother of seven beautiful children and one of my worst fears is to lose one of them.  I love to swim but also have a fear of someone playing rough with me and drowning me by accident.  In my mind I don't think anyone knows what my tolerance is for staying under water and I fear them holding me down too long.  And when we vacation at the beach I won't go in the ocean because I have a fear of jellyfish and sharks.
2009 VIP
posted on November 02, 2008 at 01:48PM
 
In response to redfireant's post from November 01 2008 11:00PM
redfireant said…

I am very afraid of spiders. I would rather have a "non" poisonous snake on me.

When I was about 5 or 6 I had a HUGE spider (black and yellow, I don't know what kind) jump on my face and cover it....I'm not joking...it covered my whole face. Ever since then I have been terrified by any kind of spider...big or small.


Oh, I could pick a spider up with my hands, but I can't walk down an aisle in the pet store if a snake is there.  In fact, I can't even touch snake skin!  It scares me.
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posted on November 02, 2008 at 01:52PM
 
In response to writersquill's post from November 02 2008 11:19AM

I can relate to the water issues.  I'm an excellent swimmer and diver but I can't stand to be around people when they are fooling around near water.  I don't like to play chicken fights and freak out if someone makes an attempt to dunk me under water because I'm afraid they won't know how long I can hold my breath.

I also don't like going in the ocean because I can't stand to feel the salt on my skin and I gut stung by a jellyfish while on a trip with my SS class.  I will get out there jump a few waves and then I'm done with that.

2009 VIP
posted on November 02, 2008 at 01:56PM
 
In response to jasyjen's post from November 02 2008 01:48PM

You are one brave soul.  You're not going to get me to pick up a spider, no siree!  I jump when we're out walking and I hear the birds or squirrels stir the leaves.

I joined Viewpoints in August.  I was bit by a king or coral snake (twice) while sticking my hand thru a fence in my backyard.  I dropped a bowl over the fence and got zapped.  I thought I hit a briar and didn't think anything about it until my hand swelled up.  I had to go through an envenomation process for five days and that made me sick.  Because of my Lupus I also had to have chest x-rays and tissue samples drawn to make sure the venom didn't damage anything else.  It was a week long ordeal and something I hope to never go through again.

2008 VIP
posted on November 02, 2008 at 10:07PM
 
In response to wonkao's post from October 30 2008 03:31PM
wonkao said…
I am also terrified of ants. Yes. Ants.
Me too! I absolutely can't stand the big black three sectioned ones. *shivers* Seriously, I freak completely out. I have no idea why either. I also have a very strange phobia about the cotton inside of pill bottles. My family knows to take it out before I see it. I'm not sure if it is the texture or what but I got goosebumps just talking about it! Eeek!
2009 VIP
posted on November 02, 2008 at 10:38PM
 
In response to LaurieM's post from November 02 2008 10:07PM
 The cotton inside of pill bottles--that's interesting.  So, do those little plastic barrel-like tubes that they put in bottles freak you out too or those soft packs of preservatives like you see in shoe boxes?  I almost swallowed one those barrel things believing I had gotten a vitamin.
2009 Advisor
posted on November 02, 2008 at 11:32PM
 
In response to GigiandAdonai's post from November 02 2008 10:38PM

I've never understood why they put those things (barrel/soft packs) in bottles. It is very annoying to me. I've heard if a dog or cat got a hold of it, it is very dangerous.

2009 Writer
posted on November 02, 2008 at 11:56PM
 
I have a couple phobias that are weird. I'm terrified of calling people on the phone that I don't know well. I can call my husband, my mom, or my sister but anyone else freaks me out. I hate calling for take out. I think it might be because I have social anxiety - I don't like going out in public much, especially if it's really crowded - I feel like I'm having a heart attack.

I'm also somewhat germ-a-phobic which is interesting, since I'm going to school to be a nurse. I can deal with it, but I have to wear a couple layers of latex gloves and I always wash my hands throughly followed by hand sanitizer and microbial lotion. I'm paranoid about being sick or getting some deady virus or something.

And of course, spiders. I can stand them at all - the bigger they are the worst the fear is. I am very proud of myself though because I killed a HUGE one a few weeks ago. It was climbing up my living room wall and I was getting ready to head out the door. Hubby was at work. I couldn't stand the thought of that thing escaping and wandering around my house! So I grabbed a sandal and did the whole smack-and-smear killing move - you know, when you smack the spider/bug with the shoe and smear it so you know for sure that it's dead and not on the shoe somewhere?

lol anyway, I'm done sharing my weird oddities.
2009 Writer
posted on November 03, 2008 at 12:00AM
 
Oh yeah, forgot to mention - I'm afraid of zombies. I know they're not real but I'm still terrified of them. I think it was because my parents let me watch Dawn of the Dead when I was really young...I also saw the new one on the theatre in 2004...bot of them gave me nightmares for a month! I guess I'm most afraid that there will be some virus like that someday...weird, yes, I know.
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